Potential of Agrophotovoltaic Systems in Hawai‘i

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2023

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In accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement, in 2018 Hawai’i developed a net-zero carbon goal. This is in addition to existing 2010, 2015 and 2022 ‘Renewable Portfolio Standard’ mandates, which now require Hawai‘i utilities meet 100% of electricity generation through renewable generation sources by the year 2045. Interim targets include 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2040. As such, Hawai’i must find solutions that meet multiple competing land use goals and increase land use efficiency. Agrivoltaic (AV) systems are dual-use land systems that share the same land for solar energy production and produce fresh local food by growing crops in and around the solar panel arrays, mixing these systems can increase land use efficiency from traditional systems. A small-scale system was developed to inform the way a large-scale aquaponic production of lettuce would perform in a functioning commercial solar energy farm. We engineered a small-scale pilot farm consisting of four commercial hydroponic troughs in an active solar farm with tracking ground-mounted panels. We installed the troughs between the solar panel arrays and conducted a commercial-scale lettuce hydroponic variety trial to measure growth and yield for five different varieties to understand the interaction of genotype with this novel production system. Mimicking production conditions and economic potential were assessed and identified the best potential genotypes for commercial production. This work is directly related to helping Hawai’i meet its carbon goals while helping to inform energy and food policy decisions.

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Agriculture, Area planning & development, agrivoltaic, agrophotovoltaic

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52 pages

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